Subject(s): Science, Art, English Language Arts, Computer Technology

Learner Outcomes:
    * Define fossils, paleontologist, and paleontology
    * Gain a better understanding of what fossils are, where they are found, and how they are uncovered
    * Create various fossils
    * Encourage investigation of dinosaurs through fiction and non-fiction
    * Use the Internet to explore fossils

Time Frame: Three 45 minute sessions

Materials: Digging up Dinosaurs video, Student Response Journals

Technological Tools/Courseware:  Internet access, Accelerated Reader Program

Teacher Notes: AUP (Acceptable User Policy)

Procedures:
    * Ask the students, "If there are no more dinosaurs, how do we know that they ever existed"?
    * Introduce vocabulary: fossils, paleontologist, and paleontology. Use the Internet to further explore these
       terms. Students will record the researched information in Student Response Journals.
    * The Reading Rainbow video "Digging up Dinosaurs"will be used to take students on an adventurous
        journey back in time.  They will be taken to a dinosaur dig and on a tour of the labortory at the Dinosaur
        National Monument in Utah.  If the video is not available, visit Mungo Park.
    * Group discussion on the video/site.
    *  Students will then visit Zoom Dinosaurs and Museum to research fossils and paleontology. They will use their
        Student Response Journals to record the answers to questions such as:
                    How is a fossil formed?  Describe the steps.
                    What things can interrupt the formation of the fossil?
                    What can fossils tell us?
                    Where are fossils found?
                    What kinds of fossils are there?
                    Give examples of each kind.
    * After research is completed, students will share their results with the rest of the class.
    * Have students determine which types of sediments would best preserve fossils.  Students can press
       shells or bones into various thick mixtures, such as sand and water; clay and water; and gravel, clay,
       and water.  The ability of a mixture to "preserve" should be judged on the clarity of the imprint made.
    * Fossils can be created by using clay/plaster of paris.  Press objects, such as a shell, leaf, pine cones, sticks
       etc. into clay.  Gently remove  the pressed objects from the clay/plaster of paris and observe the impresison
       left behind.  Let dry overnight and examine your fossils.
    * Create amber fossils.  This type of fossils is made when an object becomes stuck or coated in resin or tree
       sap, like in Jurassic Park. Students select an object to fossilize, such as dead insect, leaf or shell and place it
       into the lid of a jar. Then they slowly pour clear drying glue over the object until it is coated.  Let the glue
       dry and repeat until the entire object is encased.  Label and display each fossil.
    * Next students will work cooperatively as "paleontologists" to investigate and excavate fossil bones in a
       miniature classroom dig.
               1. Create several boxes by compacting layers of soil and placing bones with soil layers.
               2. Exchange boxes so groups will be investigating boxes other than ones they created.
               3. Dig and brush carefully to locate and remove fossils.
               4. After the dig, go to Download-a-Dinosaur to create fanciful, easy to make dinosaurs.
    * Students can go on an exciting  Internet Scavenger adventure by visiting Dino-Hunt .
    * Conclude the lesson, by visiting a museum of natural history to receive first hand knowledge about
       fossils.  If this is not possible, take the students on a virtual tour by visiting the followiing sites:  Dinosaur
       Provincial Park and Smithsonian.
   * Students will make a story book based on 'Dear Zoo' by Rod Campbell.  Begin like this:'I wanted a
      pet dinosaur so I wrote to The Natural History Museum.  Next you could write:  'They sent me a ...'.

Modifications:
    * The teacher should modify the lesson as necessary to meet the students' IEP.
    * Adapt according to grade level.

Enrichment Activities:
    * Read and Do activities for My Visit to the Dinosaurs by Aliki
    * Find out how dinosaur fossils are put back together at Zoom Dinosaurs - Bony Jigsaw Puzzles.
    * Create a dinosaur skeleton out of pipe cleaners. Bend two pipe cleaners together to make a skull
       and spine.  Bend two more pipe cleaners in half.  Twist them around the spine for legs. Cut ribs and twist
       them around the spine.
    * Students can participate in skeleton puzzle games.

Evaluation/Assessments:
        participation
        journals
        stories

West Virginia Instructional Goals and Objectives:
        * English Language Arts - K.53, 1.69, 2.78, 3.82, 4.92
        * Science - K.58, 1.59, 2.50, 2.56, 3.61, 3.68, 4.63
        * Art - K.16, 1.17, 2.11, 3.6, 4.4
        * Computer Technology - K.64, 1.28, 2.65, 3.49, 4.93
        * Math - K.22, K.24, 1.35, 1.33, 2.37, 2.41, 3.39, 3.40, 4.41, 4.44

National Standards

References:
    Accelerated Reader
    Discovery Kits
    Zoom Dinosaurs
    University of Georgia Museum of Natural History
    Dino Fun Sites
 

Created By: Divide Elementary, Fayette County

    Lisa Andrews, Kathy Flint, Cheryl Smailes

Date Created: March 23, 1999